Nursing Interventions for Plantar Warts

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Plantar warts are hard, grainy growths that usually appear on the heels or balls of your feet, areas that feel the most pressure.

Review the patient’s daily regimen and recommend the following: daily soaking of the foot in warm water for 5 to 10 minutes, drying of the area, debridement of hyperkeratotic tissue with an emery board or pumice stone, topical application of salicylic acid, and occlusion by either a bandage or duct tape.

Inform patients that plantar warts are caused by the human papillomavirus that infects their skin, and resolution of these warts may take months to years.

Explain to patients that multiple modalities exist for treating plantar warts and management may require a combination before resolution of lesions.

Educate patients regarding the variety of treatment modalities, and emphasis should be placed on the importance of continuing treatment plans and attending follow-up appointments.

Encourage patients to wear proper foot coverings like shower shoes or sandals when walking through dirty ground surfaces and to avoid any direct skin contact if possible.

Discuss proper foot hygiene especially when walking through public restrooms or locker rooms.

Teach patient to avoid walking barefoot on warm, moist surfaces where the wart virus may be alive. Wear shower shoes when using public showers, locker rooms, or pool areas.

Any item that has come into contact with a plantar wart (for example, a sock or towel) should be thoroughly cleaned with hot water and soap to prevent transmission.

Advise patient to avoid touching warts on their self or others.

Advise patients not to share razors, towels, socks, or shoes with another person. Someone with no visible warts can still be carrying the virus.

Keep the patient’s feet dry. If the feet sweat heavily, advise them to wear socks that absorb moisture or wick it away from the skin.

Teach patients to avoid irritating the soles of the feet. Warts grow more easily if your skin has been injured or broken in some way.